核幔边界D″区的地震学研究进展

核幔边界层在地球演化过程中扮演着极为重要的作用,是人们认识地球的主要研究对象之一。文中综述了近十多年来对核幔边界D″区开展地震学研究的主要方法及成果,内容涵盖了核幔边界D″区上部间断面、不均匀性、各向异性和超低速层等4个主要研究对象。结合多个相关学科的研究进展,从对热-化学-动力学三方面的耦合作用的分析,来探讨形成D″区各种观测现象的原因和机制,以及在此基础上提出的动力学演化模型。最后简要叙述了有关核幔边界研究的地震学、矿物实验、理论分析及计算科学的发展方向和挑战。随着对D″区认识的不断更新,逐步揭示地表观测到的可能受核幔边界因素控制的多种地质及地球物理现象。

Sequence Analysis of Mitochondrial DNA D-loop Region in Xinjiang Goose

[Objective] The sequences of mitochondrial DNA D-loop region of Xinjiang Goose with three different colors of plumage were analyzed in order to study the genetic diversity of Xinjiang Goose, as well as the phylogeny and evolution. [Method] Ten geese were selected randomly from the core populations of grey-, mosaic- and white-plumaged Xinjiang Goose respectively with a total number of thirty as experi- mental materials, of which the blood samples were collected from the largest vein under the wing （brachial vein） for DNA extraction. Sequences of mitochondrial DNA D-loop regions were determined using DNA sequencing technology to analyze the polymorphism. In addition, the genetic distances among different populations were estimated through the comparison with the reference sequences. [Resull] The con- tents of A, G, C and T nucleotides in the D-loop region of Xinjiang Goose were 28.85%, 17.05%, 25.38% and 28.72%, respectively. The average haplotype diversity and nucleotide diversity of Xinjiang Goose were 0.583 and 0.056. Xinjiang Goose and Greylag Goose were clustered into the same group. [Conclusion] The results showed that Xinjiang Geese with three different colors of plumage all descend from Greylag Goose （Anser anser）.

Effect of 2,4-D on Microtubule Reorientation in Rice Root Tips

The reorientation of microtubules (MTS) in roots of Oryza sativa L. treated with 2,4_D was studied using confocal laser scanning microscopy. In the control (the roots were not treated with 2,4_D), different distribution patterns of MTS were observed in the different growth zones of root tips. MTS of the cortical cells were randomly aligned in the zone of cell division. They were transversely arranged in the cortical cells of the zone of cell elongation; and obliquely oriented in the root hair zone. After treatment with 2,4_D, MTS displayed distinct changes with reorientation in the cortex of the root tip coupling with the inhibition of root growth. MTS changed their orientation in the cortical cells of the zone of cell division from being randomly oriented to transversely oriented when incubated in 1 mg/L 2,4_D for 1 h. However, they were recovered and became randomly oriented when the roots were treated with 1 mg/L 2,4_D for 24 h. An array of MTS, which was different from that in the control, was observed in the cortical cells of the zone of cell elongation in the roots treated with 1 mg/L 2,4_D for 1 h. After treatment with 10 mg/L 2,4_D for 1 h, the MTS in the cortical cells of the zone of cell division became transversely reorientated, but the pattern of MTS distribution was different from that in the 1_hour treatment of 1 mg/L 2,4_D. MTS were hardly detected in the same type of cells when roots were submerged in 10 mg/L 2,4_D for 24 h. When roots were incubated in 10 mg/L 2,4_D for 1 h, the MTS of the cortical cells in the zone of cell elongation became randomly oriented, and much more randomly when the roots were treated for 24 h.

Estimation of the Maximum Allowable Loading Amount of COD in Luoyuan Bay by a 3-D COD Transport and Transformation Model

The rapid economic and social developments in the Luoyuan and Lianjiang counties of Fujian Province,China,raise certain environment and ecosystem issues.The unusual phytoplankton bloom and eutrophication,for example,have increased in severity in Luoyuan Bay （LB）.The constant increase of nutrient loads has largely caused the environmental degradation in LB.Several countermeasures have been implemented to solve these environmental problems.The most effective of these strategies is the reduction of pollutant loadings into the sea in accordance with total pollutant load control （TPLC） plans.A combined three-dimensional hydrodynamic transport-transformation model was constructed to estimate the marine environmental capacity of chemical oxygen demand （COD）.The allowed maximum loadings for each discharge unit in LB were calculated with applicable simulation results.The simulation results indicated that the environmental capacity of COD is approximately 11×l0^4tyear^-1 when the water quality complies with the marine functional zoning standards for LB.A pollutant reduction scheme to diminish the present levels of mariculture-and domestic-based COD loadings is based on the estimated marine COD environmental capacity.The obtained values imply that the LB waters could comply with the targeted water quality criteria.To meet the revised marine functional zoning standards,discharge loadings from discharge units 1 and 11 should be reduced to 996 and 3236t year^-1,respectively.

Study on the 3-D Velocity Structure around the Focal Region of the Anqing Earthquake in January 2011 and Discussion on the Causative Fault

The Anqing MS4.8 earthquake occurred on January 19, 2011, with the epicenter lying in the foreland deformation belt along the Yangtze River of the lower Yangtze block. After the earthquake, the field work team surveyed and collected building damage data, calculating and obtaining more accurate intensity distributions. The focal mechanism of the main shock was calculated tentatively using digital seismic wave data from provincial digital seismic networks using the FOCMEC program and the first motions of P, SV and SH waves with their amplitude ratios. Using the location results of the main shock and aftershocks by the Anhui seismic network, combining the three-dimensional crust velocity structure imaging results of the focal region by seismic tomography, and referring on intensity distribution of the elliptic major axis' predominant direction, we conclude by comprehensive analysis that the NE-trending Susong-Zongyang fault is possibly the causative fault of the Anqing earthquake.

Mitochondrial genome sequences of Artemia tibetiana and Artemia urmiana:assessing molecular changes for high plateau adaptation

Brine shrimps,Artemia(Crustacea,Anostraca),inhabit hypersaline environments and have a broad geographical distribution from sea level to high plateaus.Artemia therefore possess significant genetic diversity,which gives them their outstanding adaptability.To understand this remarkable plasticity,we sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of two Artemia tibetiana isolates from the Tibetan Plateau in China and one Artemia urmiana isolate from Lake Urmia in Iran and compared them with the genome of a low-altitude Artemia,A.franciscana.We compared the ratio of the rate of nonsynonymous(Ka) and synonymous(Ks) substitutions(Ka/Ks ratio) in the mitochondrial protein-coding gene sequences and found that atp8 had the highest Ka/Ks ratios in comparisons of A.franciscana with either A.tibetiana or A.urmiana and that atp6 had the highest Ka/Ks ratio between A.tibetiana and A.urmiana.Atp6 may have experienced strong selective pressure for high-altitude adaptation because although A.tibetiana and A.urmiana are closely related they live at different altitudes.We identified two extended termination-associated sequences and three conserved sequence blocks in the D-loop region of the mitochondrial genomes.We propose that sequence variations in the D-loop region and in the subunits of the respiratory chain complexes independently or collectively contribute to the adaptation of Artemia to different altitudes.

Limited gene flow and partial isolation phylogeography of Himalayan snowcock Tetraogallus himalayensis based on part mitochondrial D-loop sequences

Himalayan snowcock Tetraogallus himalayensis are distributed in alpine and subalpine areas in China. We used mi- tochondrial DNA control-region data to investigate the origin and past demographic change in sixty-seven Himalayan snowcock T. himalayensis. The fragments of 1155 nucleotides from the control region of mitochondrial DNA were sequenced, and 57 poly- morphic positions defined 37 haplotypes. A high level of genetic diversity was detected in all populations sampled and may be associated isolation of the mountains and habitat fragmentation and deterioration from Quaternary glaciations. In the phylogenetic tree, all haplotypes grouped into four groups： clade A （Kunlun Mountains clade）, clade B （Northern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau clade）, clade C （Tianshan Mountains clade） and clade D （Kalakunlun Mountains clade）. We found a low level of gene flow and significant genetic differentiation among all populations. Based on divergence time we suggest that the divergence of Himalayan snowcock occurred in the middle Pleistocene inter-glaciation, and expansion occurred in the glaciation. Analysis of mtDNA D-loop sequences confirmed demographic population expansion, as did our non-significant mismatch distribution analysis. In conclusion, limited gene flow and a pattern of partial isolation phylogeographic was found in geographic populations of T. hima- layansis based on the analysis on mtDNA D-loop sequences [Current Zoology 57 （6）： 758-767, 2011].

Hyperbolic structure and stickiness effect: A case of a 2D area-preserving twist mapping

The stickiness effect suffered by chaotic orbits diffusing in the phase space of a dynamical system is studied in this paper.Previous works have shown that the hyperbolic structures in the phase space play an essential role in causing the stickiness effect.We present in this paper the relationship between the stickiness effect and the geometric property of hyperbolic structures.Using a two-dimensional area-preserving twist mapping as the model,we develop the numerical algorithms for computing the positions of the hyperbolic periodic orbits and for calculating the angle between the stable and unstable manifolds of the hyperbolic periodic orbit.We show how the stickiness effect and the orbital diffusion speed are related to the angle.

3-D geologic architecture of Xiong＇an New Area： Constraints from seismic reflection data

Studying the geologic architecture of the Xiong'an New Area will provide important basis for the evaluation of crustal stability, urban planning and infrastructural projects in this region, and it is also of great significance in exploring the occurrence of oil and gas, geothermal, hot dry rock and other resources. The stratigraphic system of the study area is established by using latest high quality seismic reflection and deep borehole data. Characteristics of the major faults developed in the study area are finely depicted with the method of structural analysis. Tectonic evolution of Xiong'an and adjacent areas is reconstructed by using balanced geological cross-section technique. The tectonic activity of the study area is discussed on the basis of the development of secondary faults and the distribution of active earthquakes across the region. This study demonstrates that Xiong'an New Area is located at the transfer zone of the central and northern Jizhong Depression. There are three regional unconformities developed in this area, by which four structural layers are sub-divided. Controlled by the Taihang Mountain piedmont fault, the Daxing fault, the Rongcheng fault and the Niudong fault, the structural framework of the study area is characterized by intervening highs with sags. This structural pattern has an important controlling over the reservoir characteristics, hydrocarbon accumulation and the distribution of geothermal resources and hot dry rock within this region. Rifting in this area began in the early Paleogene, exhibiting typical episodic character and became inactive in Neogene. The development feature of secondary faults along with the distribution of active earthquakes indicate that Xiong'an New Area has been in a relatively stable tectonic setting since the Neogene, while the Baxian Sag and other structural units to the east of it have obviously been in a rather active environment.

Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside stimulates osteoblast differentiation through regulating the BMP/WNT signaling pathways

The iso fl avone calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(CG) is a principal constituent of Astragalus membranaceus(AR) and has been reported to inhibit osteoclast development in vitro and bone loss in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the osteogenic effects of CG and its underlying mechanism in ST2 cells. The results show that exposure of cells to CG in osteogenic differentiation medium increases ALP activity, osteocalcin(Ocal) m RNA expression and the osteoblastic mineralization process. Mechanistically, CG treatment increased the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP-2), p-Smad 1/5/8, β-catenin and Runx2, all of which are regulators of the BMP- or wingless-type MMTV integration site family(WNT)/β-catenin-signaling pathways. Moreover, the osteogenic effects of CG were inhibited by Noggin and DKK-1 which are classical inhibitors of the BMP and WNT/β-catenin-signaling pathways, respectively. Taken together, the results indicate that CG promotes the osteoblastic differentiation of ST2 cells through regulating the BMP/WNT signaling pathways. On this basis, CG may be a useful lead compound for improving the treatment of bone-decreasing diseases and enhancing bone regeneration.